| Author | Message | ||
     Spatten1 |
I've already gotten used to the slightly increased tendency to stand up under braking. These tires are great! I love being back on Dunlops. They feel much better than the Corsas did cold, and rock solid when warm. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
Huh!? Haven't heard anyone say anything good about Dunlops in a while. You're getting good service out of them then? Glad to hear it. I'm still stuck on Corsa III's, but do admit I ride gingerly the first few miles because they do get a little squirly when they're cold. But then again, I sometimes get a kick out of taking my bike out on cold mornings when it's about time for new tires anyway, getting a rolling start, and then smoking the rear tire down all the way down the block. I like to think my neighbors look forward to waking up to this on Sunday mornings too.  | ||
| Spatten1 |
Yeah, due to the unusual geometry on XBs the D207s and 208s caused odd handling. However, that is a Buell specific issue. Dunlop makes great sport tires that work on most bikes very well. I've used them since the only real radial choices were Dunlop, Michelin, or Metzler (Tough to find Perelli back then). The Qualifiers remind me of the best characteristics of Dunlops, stable, good cold, and not a lot of drama when they do slide a little. Don't know about wear yet, but I don't care too much. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
Oh man, don't remind me about wear on those D208's. I used to expose the steel belts in under 2,000 miles on the street! They got cupped out within a few hundred miles of install too. I remember when I switched to Corsa III's, Qualifiers had just come out and I always wondered if they were much of an improvement. I like what you had to say about the profile as this is what hooked me on the III's over the 208's. The first time I got on my bike with the new tires, I literally almost fell over in the parking lot when I made my first turn because I didn't realize how radically different the profiles would be and how that affects the handling of the bike. It literally feels like it's falling into turns with the III's and I love them. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Yeah, I had very good luck with Diablos and Corsas. I didn't need the Corsas until I got to the track, then the street Diablio let go a bit too often for my liking. The Dunlops just feel familiar, not necessarily better than the Pirellis. | ||
| Kmfw160 |
The Qualifiers are the heat...sans their crappy mileage life. I average 2500 miles per back tire. The life isn't great but the reliable grip is worth it. These tires are like doggone glue man. I remember the moment of truth that sold me on them...  Kevin goes into a very hard left hand turn WAY TOO FAST! Only one thing to do...push in. Well it scared the hell out of me( I just knew the tires would break loose) but the tires held firm so I am now a firm believer. The money is well worth it. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Roadracing World did an exhaustive test on tires a couple of years ago, and picked the Qualifiers as best for street and track day. I have used them since I got my XB12, and I think they are great on street, and for the occasional track day. The wear isn't great, but the performance in the cold seems to be better than the Pirelli's. Just looking at the rubber that most of my ridding buddies are using, it seems that the Dunlops are pretty popular. One rider changed out a new pair of Pirellis for Dunlops because of the Qualifier's cold weather performance alone. I don't find that they stand up under braking like the 207's did, but the way I ride on the street, I don't grab a whole handful of brake in the middle of a corner any more. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I'm surprised to see any other Dunlop fans here, I thought no one liked them other than me. Thanks for reinforcing what I have experienced. | ||
| Jramsey |
I love my new Qualifers, BTW they are marked 209's. | ||
| Guell |
ive got them on the tuber, probably close to 3k on the rear tire and plenty of tread left. | ||
| Bcool83 |
I just put new Qualifiers on front and rear when at Deal's Gap last week. Got about 800 miles on the Gap and other area roads, with NO complaints at all about the tires  | ||
| Old_man |
I won't have a tire that stands up, even slightly, in a turn. Here in western PA there are nothing but turns. I got rid of the original, crap, Dunlops with less than 1000 miles on them. (garbage canned) Replaced them with Metzler Sportec M-1, after a puncture, replaced with Pirelli Syncs. Both are excellent tires and neither has any tendency to stand up in a turn. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Colorado has a few turns too, and the Qualifiers friggin rule so far! | ||
| Old_man |
I haven't tried the Qualifiers, I'm glad to hear that you like them. I'm only saying that, although I rarely have to brake in a turn, usually accelerating, sometimes the unexpected happens in a turn and I want my bike to continue leaned over, and turning, when I have to apply the brakes. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I understand completely, and wouldn't be in my right mind to argue otherwise. My first ride on the Q's I had a moment where I ran over the double yellows on the brakes, not cool at all. The second 100 mile mountain ride was fine. I think I adjusted to the new tire profile without even thinking about it. I wish I could put into words how the Dunlops feel when they are right. Not necessarily better than other tires, but different. (Message edited by spatten1 on April 30, 2008) | ||
| Mxer83 |
I had a set of the qualifiers, they are better than 208 model but I still prefer mich. pilot powers anyday, all pers preferance but I would take off the 208s right away I hate them, just my 02 worth |
